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Teen hacker and CIA and FBI chiefs

His targets included John Brennan, the then director of the CIA, and the former deputy director of the FBI, Mark Giuliano.

Also on the list was Barack Obama's deputy national security adviser Avril Haines and his senior science and technology adviser John Holdren.

Reports at the time said a British teenager had infiltrated the personal e-mail account of Mr Brennan and posted details online.

Gamble, of Linford Crescent, will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on December 15.

14:53

What we know so far

Teenager Kane Gamble could face prison for attempts to hack the computers of senior US government officials.

This is what we learned during today’s hearing.

Gamble, aged 18, was just 15 when he started trying to hack the computers of US officials.

Gamble’s barrister, William Harbage QC, said his client is “on the autistic spectrum”. He was arrested in February 2016.

He could face prison when he is sentenced in December, with a judge saying “all sentencing options remain open”.

The 18-year-old has been released on unconditional bail, and still has access to computers.

13:50

Gamble 'still has access to computers'

The court heard that whilst on bail, there had been no conditions limiting Gamble’s continued computer use.

His barrister, Mr Harbage said: “There was no restriction on his access to computers.

“He was arrested almost two years ago. He has an iPhone and a laptop.

“There has been no further offending.”

Mr Justice Gilbert said during the hearing: “It’s an anxious case which raises difficult issues.”

13:44

'All sentencing options will be open'

John Lloyd-Jones QC, prosecuting, did not open the case for the Crown.

High court judge, Mr Justice Gilbert, adjourned the hearing for the preparation of psychiatric and pre-sentence reports.

He released Gamble on conditional bail and said: “I’m saying nothing about the outcome. All sentencing options will be open.”

Gamble will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court in December by another high court judge, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave.

Press reports at the time of Gamble’s arrest said a British teenager had infiltrated the personal email account of US spy chief, John Brennan, and posted personal details online.

13:41

Diverting all incoming calls

Gamble also admitted unauthorised modification of computer material, namely diverting all incoming calls to a Comcast account operated by John Holdren which caused unauthorised modification of the contents of a computer and, at the time of doing the said act, he knew that such a modification was unauthorised and intended and by doing so to impair the operation of a computer, in February 2016.

Mr Holdren was director of the Office of Science and Technology and the then senior advisor of science and technology to Barack Obama.

Gamble admitted a similar offence in relation to diverting incoming calls to an account operated by James Clapper, a retired Lieutenant General in the USA Air force and Director of National Intelligence, in January, 2016.

13:37

Six targeted by Gamble

Gamble pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to two counts of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorised access to a program or data - within the FBI’s Law Enforcement Exchange Portal, in November and The US Department of Justice’s network, in February last year.

He further admitted six offences of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorised access to a program or data held in computers relating to:

John Brennan, the then head of the CIA

Mark Giuliano, the then deputy director of the FBI

Jeh Johnson, US Homeland Security Secretary

Avril Haines, believed to be White House deputy national security adviser

Amy Hess, FBI special agent

Vonna Weir Heaton, former intelligence executive of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

13:31

'On the autistic spectrum'

Gamble’s barrister, William Harbage QC, said his client is “on the autistic spectrum,” and committed the cyber-crimes when aged 15 and 16, between June 2015 and February 2016.

He was arrested in February 2016 but has not been named publicly before now because of a court order which expired when he turned 18 this week.

Dressed in black, he was allowed to sit at the back of the court next to his mother.

Gamble infiltrated the high security accounts from his home in Linford Crescent, Coalville.

Linford Crescent, Coalville (Image: Google)

13:26

What we know so far

Here’s what we know so far about today’s court hearing. More details continue to come in from court reporter Suzy Gibson.

13:23

Kane Gamble arrives at court today

13:10

Sentenced in December

Reports at the time said a British teenager had infiltrated the personal e-mail account of Mr Brennan and posted details online.

Gamble, of Linford Crescent in Coalville, Leicestershire, will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on December 15.

13:05

Obama's deputy national security adviser also targeted

His targets included John Brennan, the then director of the CIA, and the former deputy director of the FBI, Mark Giuliano.

Also on the list was Barack Obama’s deputy national security adviser Avril Haines and his senior science and technology adviser John Holdren.

12:56

Hacker also targeted deputy director of FBI

A teenager has admitted attempting to hack into the computers of senior US government officials from his home, including the director of the CIA and the deputy director of the FBI.

Kane Gamble, 18, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to eight charges of “performing a function with intent to secure unauthorised access” to the computers and two charges of “unauthorised modification of computer material”.